Keith Belk, PhD
Dr. Keith Belk is the Director of Eurofins’ Advanced Learning Institute and Professor and Holder of the Monfort Endowed Chair, Center for Meat Safety & Quality, Colorado State University (CSU), and as an Adjunct Professor in the Colorado School of Public Health. Previously, he served as Professor and Head of the Department of Animal Sciences at CSU. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from CSU, and a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. He currently serves in a consulting role as the Director of Education for Eurofins Rapid Microbiology Laboratories, LLC. Dr. Belk is also a member of the International Committee for the National Western Stock Show, the Board of Directors for the International Stockmen’s Educational Foundation, on the Academic Advisory Committee for the Meat Institute Protein PACT, and on the technical advisory committees for Sustainable Beef, JBS, Colorado Premium Foods, and Hawkins.
Below are resources from Dr. Keith Belk:
Explore how to comply with FSIS guidance for ready-to-eat fermented, salt-cured, and dried products with an effective validation study balancing scientific rigor, processing expertise, and craftsmanship. This article outlines how to achieve the right balance in your validation approach and how strong, data‑driven studies ultimately enhance the safety, consistency, and reliability of dried and fermented meat products.
This research poster evaluates how lactic acid interventions and high‑pressure pasteurization reduce Salmonella and Listeria in dried and fermented ready‑to‑eat salami.
Learn how to prevent, manage, and respond to a USDA NR (noncompliance record) in USDA-regulated facilities. This guide offers practical tips for minimizing USDA noncompliance records through strong food safety systems, communication, and expert support.
Learn how data-driven E. coli testing improves process control and food safety in beef plants. Explore sampling strategies, harvest monitoring, and microbial analytics to reduce contamination risks and enhance regulatory compliance.
In this on-demand webinar Doug Marshall and John Scanga explain the latest regulatory challenges in food safety and quality from the FDA and USDA with a focus on the new rules and regulations. Original airdate August 7, 2024.
